To Be Modern or Not to Be Modern
Allison Noble
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Recently, I went to Meadow Brook Theatre in Auburn Hills, Michigan to see an adaptation of William Shakespeare's "Macbeth". I was surprised to find that the director, John Manfredi choose to present 
Auburn Hill, MI 48309
United States of America this tragedy as a mix of historical and modern style.
Personally, I've never been a spectator of a Shakespeare play before that combined historical and modern methods together. It sounds like it would be a unique and creative, but experiencing it was awful!!!
When acting out a Shakespeare play, it has to be ALL HISTORICAL or ALL MODERN. No exceptions!!! No in betweens!!!
A historical Shakespeare play displays the way Shakespeare's Renaissance audience saw it. Meaning costumes, technology, and props stay within the time period of the play. For example, if a character needs to see in the dark (and since there was no electricity in the 17th century) they will carry (or pretend to) a lantern or a torch. Also, the costumes should be authentic, right down to the accessories and shoes. The audience should feel as though they are looking back in time, magically catching a glimpse of the past. Nothing modern should be on stage; it will distract the flow of the atmosphere. Personally, I feel that historical is the accurate way for a Shakespeare play to be performed. He wrote what life was like in England during the Renaissance, and based a lot of his characters, on real people, that were alive during the Renaissance.
Not everyone can appreciate Shakespeare. I can understand and respect that. You're taught from adolescence that Shakespeare is rigorous. It becomes intimidating and your brain automatically tells you, you can't comprehend it. This is the reason why some directors choose to perform plays in a modern style.
Macbeth
Neigborhood: Meadow Brook TheatreAuburn Hill, MI 48309
United States of America
Personally, I've never been a spectator of a Shakespeare play before that combined historical and modern methods together. It sounds like it would be a unique and creative, but experiencing it was awful!!!
When acting out a Shakespeare play, it has to be ALL HISTORICAL or ALL MODERN. No exceptions!!! No in betweens!!!
A historical Shakespeare play displays the way Shakespeare's Renaissance audience saw it. Meaning costumes, technology, and props stay within the time period of the play. For example, if a character needs to see in the dark (and since there was no electricity in the 17th century) they will carry (or pretend to) a lantern or a torch. Also, the costumes should be authentic, right down to the accessories and shoes. The audience should feel as though they are looking back in time, magically catching a glimpse of the past. Nothing modern should be on stage; it will distract the flow of the atmosphere. Personally, I feel that historical is the accurate way for a Shakespeare play to be performed. He wrote what life was like in England during the Renaissance, and based a lot of his characters, on real people, that were alive during the Renaissance.
Not everyone can appreciate Shakespeare. I can understand and respect that. You're taught from adolescence that Shakespeare is rigorous. It becomes intimidating and your brain automatically tells you, you can't comprehend it. This is the reason why some directors choose to perform plays in a modern style.
